How much is too much?

[kaiser]

At the risk of sounding paranoid - I wanted to know if the following pics demonstrate a normal level of dust and grime one could expect to find inside the lens elements.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5168/5370159268_5870dc13fd.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5370159420_d6e8b4aa03.jpg

This lens is just under one year old. I have seen the articles that show example photos using a lens with a smashed front element, demonstrating only slight contrast loss - so some dust shouldn't be a biggie, right?

Also, these were taken using an LED light, which does tend to exaggerate and show up EVERYTHING.
I am more concerned about the hazy looking grot in the second photo.

Do you think this could be attributing to a lack of contrast or increased flare ?

Here is an example of the a scene shot with the lens in question- compared to my 25+ year old Nikkor 105 2.5 AI which shows noticably better colour and contrast. No PP applied to both pics and identical exposure settings.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5082/5369138021_c63bb9c8ff.jpg

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5005/5369746448_ddf358a259.jpg

[ving]

gee... those looks great. the first looks like a vast starfield and the second like a swirling galaxy.

obviously not effecting the photo too much tho i guess but i'd have it cleaned... :confused013 different lenses and different settings will always produce different results

[reaction]

that looks really dirty. is it inside?

[kaiser]

Yeah - I got some of the hazy stuff off that was on the outside of the front element - I don't usually clean my front element aside from a very light brush or spray of compressed air, as I'd rather have a bit of dust sitting there then scratches. So I gave it a gently rub and some of that grime came off but all that dust is still inside.